PIC16LC773-I/SP - 8-Bit MCU, 7KB OTP, 12-bit ADC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LC773-I/SP ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.5 | $7.50 |
| 10 | $6.75 | $67.50 |
| 100 | $6.05 | $605.00 |
| 500 | $5.4 | $2,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.78 | $4,780.00 |
PIC16LC773-I/SP Overview
Key specifications include 28-pin SPDIP packaging, 5V typical operating voltage, 192 bytes of data RAM, 256 bytes of EEPROM data memory, and the standard PIC mid-range 14-bit instruction set with 35 single-cycle instructions. The PIC16LC773 belongs to the broader PIC16C microcontrollers family, which is a sub-class of 8-bit Harvard-architecture RISC microcontrollers (MCU) under the microcontroller > embedded controller > semiconductor hierarchy. It uses a modified Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses to enable deterministic single-cycle instruction execution at 20 MHz, delivering up to 5 MIPS of throughput.
The PIC16LC773-I/SP integrates 12-bit A/D conversion with up to 8 analog input channels, multiple 8-bit and 16-bit timers, a USART for serial communications, an SPI/I2C compatible synchronous serial port, and capture/compare/PWM modules. These peripherals are typical of mid-range PIC microcontrollers and address mixed-signal embedded applications where analog sensing, motor control, and serial communication are required simultaneously.
The LC suffix indicates the low-power CMOS process variant with operating voltage down to approximately 2.5V to 5.5V, supporting sleep current in the microampere range. The device is targeted at industrial control, instrumentation, low-power sensor nodes, and consumer applications requiring on-chip ADC and moderate code density in a through-hole-friendly DIP package.
Typical applications include industrial sensor signal conditioning, motor control boards, data acquisition front ends, process control instrumentation, and battery-powered portable devices. The through-hole 28-SPDIP package simplifies prototyping and breadboarding, making this device common in educational kits, evaluation boards, and legacy industrial designs where socketed or hand-solderable packages are preferred.
Designers should note that the OTP memory (One-Time Programmable) cannot be reprogrammed, so this part is suited to production runs rather than development iteration. For development, the PIC16F873 flash-based counterpart (same pinout and peripherals) is commonly substituted as it allows in-circuit reprogramming. The 28-SPDIP footprint is shared across many PIC16 mid-range devices, simplifying PCB reuse when migrating to flash or enhanced variants.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LC773-I/SP — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with PIC16LC773-I/SP (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory Size, Core Architecture, Package, Timers, I/O Pins.
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No drop-in alternatives available for this product.
Request AlternativesPIC16LC773-I/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | 8-Bit RISC Microcontroller (MCU) |
| Series | PIC16C |
| Core | PIC16 (Harvard, 14-bit instruction) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 192 bytes |
| EEPROM Data Memory | 256 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Throughput | 5 MIPS |
| Operating Voltage (Vdd) | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| ADC | 12-bit, up to 8 channels |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 28-SPDIP (Skinny Plastic DIP, 7.62 mm / 0.300 inch row spacing) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Pin Count | 28 |
| I/O Pins | 22 (typical for 28-pin PIC16 mid-range) |
| Timers | 8-bit and 16-bit |
| Communication | USART, SSP (SPI/I2C) |
PIC16LC773-I/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset) input / Programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 2 / ADC negative reference |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Digital I/O / Timer 0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKI — Crystal oscillator input / External clock input |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKO — Crystal oscillator output / Clock output |
| Pin 10 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 11 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 I/O |
| Pin 12 | RC2/CCP1 — Digital I/O / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 13 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Digital I/O / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 14 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Digital I/O / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 15 | RC5/SDO — Digital I/O / SPI data out |
| Pin 16 | RC6/TX/CK — Digital I/O / USART transmit / USART clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — Digital I/O / USART receive / USART data |
| Pin 18 | GND — Ground reference |
| Pin 19 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O / External interrupt input |
| Pin 20 | RB1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 21 | RB2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 22 | RB3/PGM — Digital I/O / Low-voltage programming enable |
| Pin 23 | RB4 — Digital I/O / Interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 24 | RB5 — Digital I/O / Interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 25 | RB6/PGC — Digital I/O / Interrupt-on-change / ICSP clock |
| Pin 26 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O / Interrupt-on-change / ICSP data |
| Pin 27 | VDD — Digital supply voltage (2.5V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 28 | AVDD — Analog supply voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC16LC773-I/SP is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, Battery-Powered Portable Instruments, Motor Control and PWM Drives, Data Acquisition Front Ends, Process Control Instrumentation, Educational and Prototyping Platforms, Legacy Industrial Replacement Boards.
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC16LC773-I/SP is well suited for industrial sensor signal conditioning boards that require on-chip 12-bit ADC and serial communication. With up to 8 analog input channels and 12-bit resolution (4096 codes), the device can directly digitize thermocouple, RTD, pressure transducer, and 4-20 mA loop signals after external amplification. The 20 MHz clock delivers 5 MIPS, enough throughput to run linearization lookup tables, digital filtering, and HART or Modbus RTU protocol stacks via the USART. The 28-SPDIP through-hole package simplifies hand-assembly and field service of industrial controllers.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Portable Instruments
The PIC16LC773-I/SP's LC low-power CMOS process makes it appropriate for battery-powered portable instruments such as handheld multimeters, environmental loggers, and medical diagnostic tools. Operating voltage down to 2.5V supports 2xAA or single-cell Li-ion power rails, while sleep current in the microampere range extends battery life to months in duty-cycled applications. The 12-bit ADC provides sufficient resolution for temperature, humidity, and pressure sensing, and the 7 KB OTP is adequate for production firmware with measurement, calibration, and display routines.
Recommended
Motor Control and PWM Drives
The PIC16LC773-I/SP integrates capture/compare/PWM (CCP) modules that deliver multi-channel PWM outputs suitable for small DC motor, stepper, and brushed-motor control boards. With 22 I/O pins and a 16-bit timer, the device can drive H-bridge MOSFET gates via PWM, monitor back-EMF via the 12-bit ADC, and implement closed-loop speed regulation at modest update rates. The 5 MIPS throughput supports trapezoidal commutation algorithms for small BLDC motors used in fans, pumps, and robotics. Through-hole 28-SPDIP packaging eases prototyping of motor-driver daughter boards.
Recommended
Data Acquisition Front Ends
Multi-channel data acquisition front ends use the PIC16LC773-I/SP to digitize analog signals and forward them over serial links to a host controller or PC. The 12-bit ADC samples at rates sufficient for vibration, acoustic, and process-variable monitoring, while the USART provides RS-232/RS-485 connectivity and the SPI/I2C SSP interfaces to external ADCs, DACs, or EEPROM. The 28-SPDIP footprint and breadboard-friendly pinout simplify laboratory instrument prototyping, and the OTP program memory ensures production firmware stability.
Recommended
Process Control Instrumentation
Process control panels for HVAC, water treatment, and factory automation use the PIC16LC773-I/SP to read 4-20 mA loop signals, drive indicator LEDs and relays, and communicate with SCADA systems. The 12-bit ADC provides 0.024% resolution suitable for setpoint and alarm thresholds, while the USART supports Modbus RTU slaves. The device's industrial -40C to +85C operating range handles factory floor temperature swings. Through-hole packaging supports socketed replacement in legacy control panels without PCB rework.
Recommended
Educational and Prototyping Platforms
Recommended
Legacy Industrial Replacement Boards
The PIC16LC773-I/SP is most commonly sourced today as a direct replacement in legacy industrial equipment where the original design used this exact part. Because the PIC16C7xx family was widely designed into 1990s and early-2000s industrial controllers, replacement boards still need pin-compatible OTP MCUs. The 28-SPDIP through-hole form factor, identical peripheral map, and same 12-bit ADC allow drop-in board swap without firmware changes (assuming the replacement is pre-programmed with identical code). This makes the obsolete part valuable for maintenance of installed equipment.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LC773-I/SP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LC773-I/SO | PIC16LC771T-I/SO | PIC16LC717-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SPDIP (DIP-28, 0.300 inch) | 28-SOIC (SMD, NOT drop-in) | 28-SOIC (SMD, NOT drop-in) | 28-SOIC (SMD, NOT drop-in) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 7 KB OTP (4K x 14) | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit, 8 channels | 12-bit, 8 channels | 14-bit, 6 channels | 12-bit, 6 channels |
| Max Clock Frequency | 20 MHz (5 MIPS) | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5V to 5.5V (LC variant) | 2.5V to 5.5V | 2.5V to 5.5V | 2.5V to 5.5V |
| Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) | OTP | OTP | OTP |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- 28-SPDIP through-hole footprint for legacy and breadboard designs (vs PIC16LC773-I/SO)
- Lower operating voltage floor for battery applications (vs PIC16C773-I/SP (standard C variant))
- Higher ADC resolution than 8-bit PIC16 predecessors (vs PIC16C71-I/SP (8-bit ADC predecessor))
Design Notes
The PIC16LC773-I/SP uses OTP (One-Time Programmable) memory that cannot be erased or rewritten. Any code bug or calibration change requires a new chip, so do not use this part for development or low-volume prototypes - choose the flash-based PIC16F876A-I/SP or PIC16F873-I/SP instead, which share the same 28-SPDIP footprint and peripheral set. Reserve OTP parts for high-volume production runs where firmware is finalized. Also note that the 'I' suffix indicates the industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C); the 'E' grade (-40C to +125C) is not available for this part.
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 27) and a separate 100 nF cap on AVDD (pin 28) to keep digital and analog supplies clean. Add a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the IC. For 28-SPDIP layout keep the analog inputs (RA0-RA5) routed away from PWM outputs (RC2/CCP1, RC1/CCP2) and high-current drivers to minimize ADC noise coupling. The OSC1/OSC2 crystal traces should be short and symmetric with load capacitors placed within a few millimeters of the pins.
For battery-powered designs, leverage the LC variant's low-power modes: in Sleep mode (CPU off, peripherals off) current drops to under 1 microampere per Microchip datasheet DS30216E. Use the Watchdog Timer or external interrupts (INT on pin 1) to wake the device periodically for sensor sampling. At 3.3V supply, average current for a 1% duty-cycle sensor node (100 ms active per 10 s) can be under 100 microamperes, enabling multi-year operation on two AA cells. Ensure brown-out detection is enabled in the configuration bits to prevent EEPROM corruption during battery end-of-life.
When using the 12-bit ADC, the AVSS and AGND pins (shared with GND on 28-SPDIP) must be connected to a clean ground plane. Use separate analog and digital ground regions joined at a single point near the IC's GND pin. For ADC accuracy, ensure the analog input source impedance is below 2.5 kohm at 20 MHz to keep acquisition time within the datasheet limits. If the sensor output impedance is higher, add a unity-gain op-amp buffer such as the MCP6021 between the sensor and the ADC input to preserve 12-bit accuracy.
Compliance Information
Compliance data not in verified web results; check with distributor or Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is an industrial-grade MCU, not automotive-qualified.
